(ERGO) – Farah Abdullah Hiddig was released from prison in the northeastern Somali town of Qardho three weeks ago and went straight to work as a mobile phone repairman, a skill that he learnt while in prison.
His job is enabling him to support his mother and three younger sisters.
“Thank God, my life has really improved. I’m now working and can provide for my family instead of wondering around and wasting time at local tea shops,” he said.
Farah and 40 other inmates were trained on various technical skills during their sentences to help them to reintegrate into their communities on release. The two-month training courses were conducted by KAALO, a local NGO that is funded by the European Union.
Farah and 11 others were given certificates and tool kits, ladders, uniforms and protective gear to use for their work. They walked out through the prison gates on 1 April to start their new lives after serving short jail terms of less than 18 months.
Abdijalil Said Hashi, the head of KAALO’s office in Qardho, pointed out that the vocational training focused on skills that are in demand in the towns in the region.
“This project addresses an existing challenge, which is how to better the lives of inmates during and after prison by engaging them in productive activities. To increase their chance of success, we encourage them to team up as groups in whatever city they are in and create joint businesses,” said Abdijalil.
Ismail Omar, another former inmate, is working as a tailor.
“I’m happy with what I’ve learnt. It only took me two months and on graduation I was given a sewing machine as a tool to earn a living,” he said.
Abdijalil told Radio Ergo that KAALO is implementing the project in all the major towns of Puntland, including Bossaso, Qardho, Garowe and Galkayo. He added that the project has had a positive impact on the lives of former prisoners who are now using their skills to improve their lives and contribute to their communities
